Cannot open folders on desktop with touchpad or mouse vista

[stevessa]

Hi All Knowing People,
I have turned my laptop on today and cannot open any folders/files/ pics etc on my desktop: neither with mouse or touchpad. Tried searching threads on tinterweb and even lookked into files with d words and nothing strange there either.
I am running on vista on a toshiba satellite-could i have hit a wrong key by accident-sorry not brill at the tech stuff! I can open the above by clicking on "start" and going in that way, but i need to be able to drag some files etc for a works folder i am working on and i dont have a lot of time left....
Sorry if this is a quick fix to someone but i am gradually getting balder by the the minute....!!

Any help appreciated.
Steve

 

[scout_03]

see if your touch pad is activated

 

[stevessa]

both mouse and touchpad work in other applications and am able to open start panel etc and docs up with either, but cannot open (or doube click on) desktop items-folders, pics etc

 

[scout_03]

look in file property if there not lock